Question
An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge
by Ambrose Bierce
Beyond one of the sentinels nobody was in sight; the railroad ran straight away into a forest for a hundred yards, then, curving, was lost to view. Doubtless there was an outpost farther along. The other bank of the stream was open ground — a gentle slope topped with a stockade of vertical tree trunks, loopholed for rifles, with a single embrasure through which protruded the muzzle of a brass cannon commanding the bridge. Midway up the slope between the bridge and fort were the spectators — a single company of infantry in line, at "parade rest," the butts of their rifles on the ground, the barrels inclining slightly backward against the right shoulder, the hands crossed upon the stock. A lieutenant stood at the right of the line, the point of his sword upon the ground, his left hand resting upon his right. Excepting the group of four at the center of the bridge, not a man moved. The company faced the bridge, staring stonily, motionless. The sentinels, facing the banks of the stream, might have been statues to adorn the bridge. The captain stood with folded arms, silent, observing the work of his subordinates, but making no sign. Death is a dignitary who when he comes announced is to be received with formal manifestations of respect, even by those most familiar with him. In the code of military etiquette silence and fixity are forms of deference.
Which of the following best describes the scene at the bridge?
No one is there to bear witness to the execution.
The captain proudly watches the execution.
Some members of the military gathered to spectate the execution.
All gather to pay their last respect to the dying man.
by Ambrose Bierce
Beyond one of the sentinels nobody was in sight; the railroad ran straight away into a forest for a hundred yards, then, curving, was lost to view. Doubtless there was an outpost farther along. The other bank of the stream was open ground — a gentle slope topped with a stockade of vertical tree trunks, loopholed for rifles, with a single embrasure through which protruded the muzzle of a brass cannon commanding the bridge. Midway up the slope between the bridge and fort were the spectators — a single company of infantry in line, at "parade rest," the butts of their rifles on the ground, the barrels inclining slightly backward against the right shoulder, the hands crossed upon the stock. A lieutenant stood at the right of the line, the point of his sword upon the ground, his left hand resting upon his right. Excepting the group of four at the center of the bridge, not a man moved. The company faced the bridge, staring stonily, motionless. The sentinels, facing the banks of the stream, might have been statues to adorn the bridge. The captain stood with folded arms, silent, observing the work of his subordinates, but making no sign. Death is a dignitary who when he comes announced is to be received with formal manifestations of respect, even by those most familiar with him. In the code of military etiquette silence and fixity are forms of deference.
Which of the following best describes the scene at the bridge?
No one is there to bear witness to the execution.
The captain proudly watches the execution.
Some members of the military gathered to spectate the execution.
All gather to pay their last respect to the dying man.
Answers
Answered by
GPT-4o mini
The best description of the scene at the bridge is:
**Some members of the military gathered to spectate the execution.**
This option accurately reflects the presence of the infantry company and the lieutenant, who are there to observe the execution while maintaining a formal demeanor. The other options do not fully capture the nature of the scene as described in the text.
**Some members of the military gathered to spectate the execution.**
This option accurately reflects the presence of the infantry company and the lieutenant, who are there to observe the execution while maintaining a formal demeanor. The other options do not fully capture the nature of the scene as described in the text.
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